Camp & Hike
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Large family or group campouts are perfect at Baker Lake's Bayview South Group Campsite, which is by far the largest and possibly one of the nicest group campsites.
Even the largest parties can find space at the campsite, which can hold up to 100 people. There are picnic tables, a big campfire ring, and a basic vault toilet at the campsite.
Sadly, there are no views, potable water, or boat ramp access available; these amenities are best found in the neighboring Horseshoe Cove Campground. Should the South Campsite be reserved, consider the nearby Bayview North Group Campsite.
Baker Lake Campgrounds
When the Upper Baker Dam was built in 1959, Baker Lake—which had previously been a low-lying flat with a small lake, incredibly dense old-growth, and wetland marshes—was flooded and submerged by more than 300 feet.
The long reservoir, which is about nine miles long and sits at the foot of Mount Baker (10,781') and Mount Shuksan (9,131'), is fortunately still encircled by beautiful old-growth conifer forest, with Douglas fir, western redcedar, and western hemlock being predominant.
The majority of camping around Mount Baker takes place inside the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, which encompasses the peak.
The two primary routes into the forest are Baker Lake Road and Mount Baker Highway (State Route 542). These two main roads are lined with Forest Service campgrounds and scattered camping areas.
Pick a campground that satisfies your requirements, then have pleasure in your time in the forest. While some campgrounds provide modern facilities, others are more primitive, but all provide a peaceful haven.
1. Kulshan Campground
Kulshan Campground, owned by Puget Sound Energy, is the biggest campground close to Baker Lake. Additionally, it's the only campground that provides reserved spots all year round.
There are 108 campsites with water and sewer hookups in Kulshan, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day during the summer. These same sites are accessible without hookups in the off-season.
The campgrounds are arranged in a parking-style manner with little privacy between them. The campsite is more well-liked by self-enclosed RVs and trailers because of its close proximity.
Portable restrooms and drinking water are accessible to all overnight visitors, and the 108 campsites are first-come, first-served.
Interestingly, for a campground developed, owned, run, and maintained by a power company, "RV sites" only have connections for potable water and sewage; they do not have electrical hookups. The good news is that each of the 108 campsites has access to potable water.
2. Campgrounds Near Bellingham
Bellingham, a fun city in northern Washington, serves as a good starting point for trips up Mount Baker. Residents can travel 90 minutes to get to Artist Point from where the Mount Baker Highway begins when the freeway goes through the town.
Camping close to Bellingham allows you to experience other adventures in the area. Locations like the south of the city's Larrabee State Park offer a glimpse into the Chuckanut Mountains. North Cascades National Park and Highway 20 can both be accessed from Bellingham.
Campgrounds in Bellingham also provide quick access to all of the city's main attractions. The SPARK Museum of Electrical Innovation and Whatcom Falls are must-see locations if you're visiting the region. After a full day of exploration, Bellingham offers many kinds of nearby eateries for refueling.
3. Horseshoe Cove Campground
A beautiful nine-mile reservoir, Baker Lake is another interesting location close to Mount Baker. It is reachable via Highway 20, sometimes referred to as the North Cascades Highway, on its western side.
After leaving Highway 20 and traveling north, the paved Baker Lake Road becomes a gravel road as it passes the Baker Lake Dam.
Baker Lake is bordered on both sides by recreational areas. The 14-mile Baker Lake Trail follows the shoreline on the east side, passing through a number of backcountry campsites.
Additionally, a number of Forest Service campgrounds on the western shore provide more luxurious places to stay the night.
The first two Forest Service campgrounds on the north side of the lake, on Baker Lake Road, are Horseshoe Cove and Bayview.
Although there are no hookups, they both offer spaces for tent camping and RVs on either side of an inlet. In every campground, there are vault toilets and potable water.
During the summer, both campgrounds see a lot of traffic. Both campgrounds feature lovely picnic spaces, and Horseshoe Cove offers a popular boat launch onto Baker Lake. At both campgrounds, you can reserve the majority of the sites up to six months in advance.
4. Lower Sandy Beach + Campsites
Lower Sandy Beach, located on Baker Lake's northwest side, was a little-known, undesignated day-use beach without any official signs until 2015.
Despite its continued darkness, Hoodoo Recreation Services, the concessionaire managing every campground in Baker Lake National Recreation Area, has begun to impose fees for both day usage and overnight camping.
It's unclear when the campsites will be upgraded to a non-primitive status, but what is certain is how charming this secluded location is on a bright summer weekend.
For boat hookup and drinkable water, visit the adjacent Horseshoe Cove Campground.
5. Shannon Creek Campground
One of the coolest and most popular campgrounds in the reservoir is Shannon Creek Campground.
Shannon Creek is definitely worth the drive, with a small but beautifully shaded picnic day use area, boat ramp, and pebbly beach overlooking 6,220-foot Mount Watson across the seas.
There are only 19 campsites and a few vault toilets at this modest campground. Potable water is not provided at the campground; it can be found at the nearby Swift Creek Campground to the west where you can also enjoy endless outdoor recreation activities like water skiing.
6. Panorama Point Campground
Situated between Boulder Creek Campground and Swift Creek Campground on Baker Lake's northwest coast, Panorama Point is a charming campground with fifteen campsites that offers expansive views of the opal reservoir.
With the exception of vault toilets, a gravel boat ramp, and a tiny day use area, the campground offers very little facilities under stands of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and western redcedar. If you want drinkable water, you'll have to travel to Horseshoe Cove or Swift Creek.
7. Douglas Fir Campground
Along the Mount Baker Highway (State Route 542) is another Forest Service campground called Douglas Fir. It's closer to the town of Glacier, about 11 miles west of Silver Fir Campground. If you're driving from Bellingham, the drive takes about one hour.
Douglas Fir has thirty total spots available, eighteen of which can be reserved, more than Silver Fir. Similar features seen in campgrounds include a picnic table, flush toilets, and drinking water. There's also a historic picnic shelter on the property that parties can reserve.
The North Fork Nooksack River also passes by the Douglas Fir Campground. This lovely creek gives the campground a nice background noise and a visually appealing shifting environment.
There is a boat launch close to the campground under the bridge, making the Nooksack a great place to go boating.
8. Silver Fir Campgrounds
The main entry point for most Mount Baker excursions is State Route 542, popularly referred to as the Mount Baker Highway.
Starting from Interstate 5, this State Scenic Highway passes close to Bellingham. After that, it enters the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest by following the North Fork Nooksack River.
At Artist Point, the highway comes to a halt. The commanding prominence of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan may be seen here on their northern flanks. Destinations such as the Heather Meadows Visitor Center and Mt. Baker Ski Area at the end of the roadway draw tourists year-round.
The Mount Baker Highway is lined with iconic trailheads and a few official Forest Service campgrounds.
The closest campground to Mount Baker is Silver Fir Campground, which is around ten miles away from Artist Point. It's a very popular destination to stay the night during the summer because of its proximity.
There are 20 campsites in Silver Fir Campground, 15 of which can be reserved. The sites are suitable for tents, light trailers, and camper vans, but there are no hookups available. There are vault toilets and drinking water available to all overnight visitors.
9. Silver Lake Park
North of the Mount Baker Highway from Maple Falls, and near the Canadian border, is Silver Lake Park, managed by Whatcom County.
This unique park provides three campgrounds, which are a great starting point for touring the remainder of the roadway. After about an hour's drive east, campers at Silver Lake arrive at Artist Point.
Water and electricity hookups are available at Red Mountain and Maple Creek Campgrounds in Silver Lake. RV drivers love these locations. There are more than 70 sites at Red Mountain and Maple Creek, with picturesque islands, most of which can be reserved.
Red Mountain and Maple Creek Campgrounds accept tents. However, those using tents should first attempt to reserve a spot in Cedar Campground, the park's third campground.
The campsite offers a more reasonable price for tent camping, hiking trails, but the sites are dispersed and too tiny for RVs.
The six lakeside cabins in the park are located at Cedar Campground. The size and number of rooms in these rustic cottages vary, and some have waterfront patios and forest fire.
Unlike the park's campsites, the camper cabins are open all year round, and the largest one can accommodate up to six people for nights.
The campground manager is fully accessible meaning you can reach out to him for complaint (like refund requests, discuss cancellation fee, or get to know campground amenities).
10. Primitive Camping Near Mount Baker
Primitive camping, sometimes referred to as dispersed camping, is a popular method of camping near Mount Baker.
This kind of camping is setting up camp outside of a national forest campsite and is typically free. With no facilities, scattered camping is frequently done alongside a dirt forest service road.
In order to camp primitively in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, look for a location that has already been occupied by previous campers.
These locations typically have a place to pull over and possibly a tent pitch. Remain a minimum of 200 feet far from any bodies of water, rivers, or marshes.
The Mount Baker Highway and Baker Lake Road are two prominent locations close to Mount Baker for rustic camping.
From these main mountain thoroughfares, a number of dirt roads diverge, offering a smattering of places to camp in the wilderness.
There are limitations, and campers have to abide by all Forest Service rules. Among the rules are those pertaining to fire safety and appropriate disposal of waste.
In several national forests, rustic camping is prohibited. For further information, contact the National Forest Offices and Visitors Centers.
So, will you make baker lake your camping destination? If yes is your answer then head on to the baker lake highway (state highway) or the baker dam road as an alternate routes which ever is closer to you.